Coincidental lock



Nov. 12, 1940. J. WLFITZ GERALD 2 2 CQINcIfiENT'AL LOCK Filed June eflsss 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mil/0 5.1%,

n g- I Nay. 1940. Y J. w. FlTZ GERALD 2,221,

COINCIDENTAL LOCK I Filed Jun 9, 1959 4 Sheets-She et Z 1940- J. w. FITZ GERALD 2,221,082

COINCIDENTAL LOOK Filed June 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. l2, 1940. J. w. FITZ GERALD 2321.082

QCINGIDENTAL LOCK I Filed June 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Shea} 4 5-2 hmgPfi/d g e W W.

Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES COINCIDENTAL LOCK John W. Fitz Gerald, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1939, Serial No. 278,179

13 Claims.

her 8, 1936. i

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a combined steering post and ignition switch lock wherein the locking bolt is retractible to an unlocked position simultaneously with the closing of the ignition switch by key actuated rotation of the lock cylinder and wherein the locking bolt is held in its retracted position as long as the key remains properly within the lock cylinder so that the ignition switch may be turned on and 01f without causing the bolt to lock the steering column.

More specifically it is an object of this invention to provide a lock of the character described wherein the locking 'bolt is held in its retracted position until an outward endwise pull is exerted on the key preparatory to removing the same from the cylinder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock of the character described wherein this mode of operation is obtained with an exceeding- 1y simple construction which lends itself readily to production methods of manufacture.

In this connection, it is an object of this invention to provide a lock of the character described wherein the bolt is held in its retracted position by a part of the lock cylinder assembly per se so that an outward endwise motion of the lock cylinder produced by an outward pull on the key releases the bolt for spring projection to its operative position.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description. proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a lock constructed in accordance with this invention having parts thereof broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure 1 on the plane of the line: 22;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken through Figure l on the plane of the line 3-3; v

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-,-,4 in Figure 2 and showing, the bolt projected to its locked position; a

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the bolt retracted and the cylinder and bolt in their positions about to actuate the switch to its closed position;

Figure 6 is a detail view looking up against the 10 bottom of the lock cylinder, its casing, and locking boltwith the cylinder turned to the position at which the ignition switch is off and at which an endwise pull on the key will effect freein of the bolt, for convenience the bolt being 15 shown in a horizontal position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the parts in their positions at the instant the bolt is released for operative projection to its locked position;

Figures 8, 9, and 10 are cross sectional views through the lock cylinder taken on. the plane of the line 8-8 in Figure 2 and illustrating the cylinder in its different positions of rotation;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the lock cyl- 25 inder, its casing, and its end ring disassembled but in their proper order of assembly; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the switch parts shown disassembled.

Referring now particularly to the accompanyan ing drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 5 designates the body of the lock which is preferably a casting having a ring-like portion 6 to embrace a steering column, and a bore 1 for reception of the lock mecha- 5 nism, indicated generally by the numeral 8.

Thering-like portion 6 is split and has lugs 9dri11edto receive a clamping screw (not shown) by which the ring-like portion may be clamped securely to the steering column. Other lugs 40 or attaching ears l0 provide means for securing the lock body to the dashboard of the automobile to provide support for the steering column.

The bore 1, in which the lock mechanism is mounted, lies in a plane parallel to the axis of 5 the ring-like portion 6 and. is intersected by a transverse bore H which opens into the interior of the ring-like portion.

A locking bolt I2 is slidably mounted in-the bore II to have its operative locking end I3 50 projectible into a recess l 4 in the steering column It, a portion of which is indicated in Figures 3,

4, and 5. A compression spring l6 confined between the closed outer end of the bore II and the-bottom of a well I! in the adjacent end of at groove from the inner end of the cylinder.

.tion of the steering column is unrestrained, the

bolt is rele'asably held by the engagement of a shoulder or abutment l9 thereon with the rear edge of an end ring 20 which forms part of the lock mechanism. This end ring 20 is yieldingly projected toward the bolt for operative coaction with the abutment l9, by a spring 2l' encircling the sleeve or casing 22 of the lock mechanism.

The sleeve or casing 22 is secured in" the bore 1 by means of a screw 23 threaded into a. tapped hole in the body of the lock, with its inner end projecting into a hole 24 in the wall of the cas- The lock cylinder I8 is of the side-bar locking type in which tumblers 25, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, control a locking bar (not shown) which projects from the side of the cylinder into a groove in the sleeve or casing to secure the cylinder against rotation. Insertion of the key K into the cylinder effects retraction of this locking bar and frees the cylinder for rotation in the customary manner.

' Rotation of the cylinder is translated into endwise motion of the locking bolt through an eccentric driving cam 26 on the inner end of the cylinder, which projects into a recess 21 in the adjacent side wall of the bolt, the eccentric driving cam engaging one end wall 28 of the recess 27 during retraction of the bolt.

When the cylinder is turned to retract th bolt, the end ring 20, which is nonrotatably but slidably mounted on the sleeve or casing 22, snaps behind the shoulder or abutment Hi to thereafter hold the bolt against projection to its operative'position. The shoulder or abutment I9 is formed by leaving a land projecting from a flat surface 23 on one sideof the bolt, the flat surface extending from near the inner end of the bolt to the recess 21. One side of this land forms the shoulder l9 and its other side is inclined as at 33 to provide a cam surface which depresses the end ring 23 to allow the land on the bolt to pass and snap behind the shoulder At its opposite end, the bolt has a similar fiat surface 3| to accommodate the diametrically opposite edge of the end ring, as clearly shown in Figure 5.

As noted hereinbeiore, the end ring 20 is yieldingly propelled toward the locking bolt so as to actively engage the same and secure it in its unlocked position upon retraction. Such rearward propulsion of the end ring is limited by the engagement of inwardly directed lugs 32 and 33 on the end ring in an annular groove 34 in the inner end of the cylinder. In this manner the spring 2i also acts to oppose outward endwise motion of the lock cylinder. These lugs 32 and 33 are slidably disposed in open slots 35 and 36, respectively, in the inner end of the sleeve or casing 22 whereby the end ring is non-rotatably but slidably connected with the sleeve or casing.

The lugs 32 and 33 are engageable in the annular groove 34 of the cylinder through entrance ways3l and 33, respectively, which lead to the These entrance ways are so disposed with relation .to each other and'the lugs 32 and 33 that assembly and disassembly of the parts requires a predetermined relative circumferential disposition of the parts, and this relative position lies beyond one of the normal limits of rotation of the cylinder. Consequently, upon assembly of these parts,

which as will be readily apparent entails the apprevented from being turned to that position of rotation at which assembly and disassembly of the parts is possible.

To .define the normal limits of rotation of the cylinder and prevent turning the same to the position at which disassembly of the parts is possible, the inner surface of the cylinder head 4| is of steppedformation to provide two abutments 42 and 43 which form the opposite sides of a lug 44. The abutment or stop 42 is engageable'with' aspring pressed plunger 1 45 projecting from the end wall, of the casing or sleeve 22. Suchengagement is effected by counterclockwise rotation of thelock cylinder and defines the extreme limit of counterclockwise movement, at which position the bolt is released and projected to its operative position and the ignition switch is open.

Clockwise rotation of the cylinder to retract the bolt and close the ignition switch is limited by the engagement of the stop abutment 43 with a stop 46, which isformed by one end of a semicircular counterbore 47 at the mouth of the casing or sleeve. This semi-circular counterbore 4'l. accommodates the lug 44. v

In the unlocked position of the cylinder and when the ignition switch is closed, which is the position illustrated in Figure 9, the cylinder is releasably held against accidental rotation by a spring detent comprising the spring pressed plunger 45 and a notch 48 formed in the step 49 on the-inner face of the cylinder head.

In turning the cylinder from its unlocked position at which the ignition switch is closed, toward its locked position, which is the only position at which withdrawal and insertion of the key is possible, rotation isinterrupted short of its locked position by the engagement of a stop 50 formed by the end of the step 49 with a second spring pressed plunger projecting from the front endof the sleeve or casing. In this position, which is illustrated in Figure 10, the ignirtion switch is open.

This interruption of rotation produced by the engagement of the stop 50 with the spring pressed plunger 5!, however, is not positive for by drawing the cylinder outwardly a distance sufiicient to carry the edge of the stop-'10 outwardly to the end of the spring pressed plunger, as illustrated in Figure '7, the cylinder is free'to turn the additional slight amount necessary to bring it to its fully locked position defined by the engagement of its stop 42 with the spring plunger 45.

Unless it is desired to remove the key, which can be done only in the locked positionof rotation of the cylinder and which is accompanied by release of the bolt for projection to its locked position, the cylinder rotation is limited by its stops 43 and 50 engaging the casing stops 46 and 5 I, respectively, the amount of rotation thus provided being sufficient to-allow the ignition switch to be opened andclosed.

When it is desired to remove the key and release the bolt, an outward pullisexerted on the key after it. has been turned to engage the stops 50 and 5!, to carry the cylinder stop 50 'past the end of the stop 5|, as illustratedin Figured. Endwise pull imparted to the key in this manner,

disc of insulating material 53 seated in the bottom of the bore 1 and carrying twoterminals. 54 and 55, each of which has a terminalscrew 56 projecting through a holein the, closed end of the lock body. The holes in the lock body, through which the screws project, are sufiiciently large to provide electrical clearance A piece of insulating material 51 bored for the passage of the screws 56 therethrough engages the outer end wall of the lock body to receive the thrust of clamping nuts 58 on the screws.

The terminal 54 is in the formof a flat head flush with the inner surface of the insulating disc 53 while the terminal 55 has a pin 59 projecting therefrom, on which a contactor fill is pivotally mounted. The contactor comprises a stamping in the form of an elongated plate having spaced arms 6| extending from the opposite side edges thereof and another arm 62 projecting from the outer end thereof. An indentation 63 on the outer end of the arm provides a contact for electrical engagement with the terminal .54 as the arm is swung on its pivoted mounting.

An insulating actuator 64 is embraced by the arms 6i and 62, and a small compression spring 65 is interposed between the actuator and the contactor to provide contact pressure. The actuator is also pivoted on the post 59 and has a lug 66 projecting therefrom for engagement. in a transverse recess 61 in the bolt.

The relative positions of the recess in the bolt and. the mounting for the contactor is such that when the bolt is fully retracted by rotation of the lock cylinder to the limit of its motion defined by the engagement of its stop 43 with the casing stop 45, as illustrated in Figure 9, the ignition switch is closed and the bolt is retracted beyond the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

Rotation of the lock cylinder toward its locked position to the point at which the releasable stop effected by the shoulder 50 engaging the spring propelled plunger 5| arrests rotation thereof, carries the'switch contactor to its off position while leaving the steering column free for actuation.

As pointed out hereinbefore, disassembly and assembly of the cylinder mechanism entails a predetermined relative position of the cylinder with respect to its casing and this position lies beyond one of the normal extreme limits of rotation of the cylinder.

To permit the cylinder to be turned to this position, it is necessary to disengage the spring plunger 45 from the cylinder stop 42 and to effect this result, a hole 68 is formed through the head of the cylinder to align with the spring plunger 45 when the stop 42 is engaged therewith. Thus,

by the insertion of a tool through the hole 68,

amount. necessary to effect the desired alignment; which is" defined by the engagement of the side 69 of the entrance 38 at the inner end of the lock cylinder with a lug 10. carried by the adjacent portionof the casing.

Spring propelled projection of the locking bolt is limited in the event the locking mechanism is removed, by the inner end of ,a screw 1| threaded into the lock body with a shoulder. 12 formed by one end of a flattened portion 13 in the side of the locking bolt. l

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention provides a coincidental lock of the character described, which is exceptionally practical in construction and in which release of the locking bolt is dependent upon a slight endwise motion imparted to the lock cylinder as an incident to withdrawal of the key, and. in which the key cannot be withdrawnwithout releasing the bolt for projection to its operativeposition.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a lock of the character described: an ax ially movable spring pressed bolt; an endwise and rotatably movable lock cylinder; means operable by rotation of the lock cylinder for retracting the bolt; and an obstruction positionable to engage and hold the bolt in its retracted position, said obstruction being movable to an inoperative position upon endwise motion of the lock cylinder to free the bolt for spring actuation.

2. In a lock of thecharacter described: a bolt movable endwise to and from a locking position;

a spring for yieldingly urging the bolt to its locking position; a lock cylinder; means rotatably and endwise movably mounting the lock cylinder with its axis substantially normal to the axis of the bolt; means operable by rotation of the cylinder forretracting the bolt; and means carried by the lock cylinder and operable in one position of endwise movement of the lock cylinder to engage and hold the bolt in its retracted position.

3. In a lock of the character described: a bolt movable endwise to and from a locking position; a spring yieldingly urging the bolt toward its locking position; a l-ock cylinder rotatable and endwise movable on an axis substantially normal to the axis of the bolt, said cylinder being rotatable upon the insertion of a proper key, between locked and unlocked positions; means operable upon rotation of the cylinder to unlocked position for retracting the bolt; means .on the cylinder yieldingly projected toward the bolt; and a shoulder on the bolt with which said last named means automatically engages upon retraction of the bolt.

4. In a lock of the character described: a looking bolt having a plurality of notches; means mounting the bolt for sliding movement toward and from a locked position; a spring yieldingly urging the bolt to its locked position; and a rotatable and, endwise movable member mounted with its axis at an angle to that .of the bolt and having a part engageable with one side wall of one of said'notches to retract the bolt upon rotation of said member and having another part sfibolt to hold the bolt in retracted position; and

means engaging in the otherl of said. bolt Inotches and driven by rotation ofoth-e -lock :cylinder as semblyltoretract'the boltl.= w

6. In,.a lock of .the character described: a body IOEEhavingaintersecting bores; a bolt slidable inonel bore; a spring for yieldingly urging the:bo1t in one direction; a lock cylinder rotatable and: endwiseflmovable-in the other bore; means carried by'xthe lock. cylindernand operable-on the bolt- 15 iipon :rotation of the cylinder for retracting the boltjiandazmeaiis for moving a part on the lockcylinder into engagement with :the' boltupon: re-

same in its retractedzpositionr V 2051' 7. fInia lo'ckofthemharacter described: a bolt slidablentoward 'and..from a locking posi-tion; a

locking position; a lock:cylinder rotatable and endwise -movable meansidriven by rotation of 'the assembly rotatable and endwise movablew on. an

the;cylinderi:towards its locked position at an in- 5 termediatetposition at which withdrawalfof its keys is" impossible, .said intermediate stop being disabled by an endwise pull on thelock cylinder which also releases the latch so that the normal pullir-on thetkeyito withdraw-the same imparts endwiseimotiontothecylinder. and releases the latch. l

1I.'.In. a coincidentallock of the type adapted tobe mounted on the steering column of an automobile andchaving a bolt engageable with a recess in .the column to secure the same against ro- 1 tation andla switch for controlling the ignition of traction of: the-..bolt for. releasably holding the thetautomobilethe combination of: a lock body havinglintersectingbores in one of which the bolt isslidable; a lockvcylinder rotatable in the other bore; a driving connection between the cylinder spring for yieldingly'urging the bo'lt toward its- 25 -"cylindersfor retracting @the bolt; and a latch ent gage'able:with thebolt to; hold it retractedgsa-id latch "being releasable by endwise-motion of the;

cylinder:

8. Inza lock of'xthe'.-'character described-s an- 30 axially slidable bolt biased toa locking positiongs a lock: cylinder rotatable .and'endwise movable on 1 an axis angularvtoith'atzofithe .bol-tj means yield-' inglyf. urging the lock .cylinder' axially toward the side of the bo1t;".a shoulder onthe side of'the'bolt 35 "engageable bysza part. onithe cylinder whn' the bolt; is inia retracted position; means driven: by rotation' of the cylinder for retracting the' bolt';

and means for: moving the cylinder part endwise awaytfromtlthe' bolt through the-application of an ojioutward. 131.111. 011 theicylinder tolfree the bolt.

9. In a flock :of. the :character described: 1 an axially movable spring pressed bolt; a lock cylin-' dervmounted for. rotation on an axis angularto 1 thatsofithebolmia driving.oonnection'between-the 451 icylinder and the bolt wherebyrotationof the'cylinder, retracts the bolt} a latch engageabl'e with i a the bolt upon: :retraction to releasably- "hold the same in. its retracted position; said latch beingf connected with the-lock cylinder soas to be -dislifl abled .by an outward. endwise motion of thecylinderry means -for:defining the extreme locked and unlocked positions-of rotation of thelock cylinder;' and an intermediate" stop for limiting rotation of the lock cylinder-toward its' locked posilil tion of rotation, said intermediate stop-being dis abled' by an endwise outward motion of'thelockfl cylinder which likewise releases the latch to free the: bolt.

10..In :a lock of the character-"described: a BO -body having intersecting bores; -a sprlngpressed lockingtbolt'islidable in one of said bores-ya look I cylinderrmounted for axial and rotary motion in the; other bore; means for-deflning locked-and unlocked-positions of rotation for thel-ook cylin-' from locked to. unlocked position; a latch engageablezwith the bolt forreleasablyIholdingthe same and the bolt whereby rotation of the cylinder is translated into endwise motion of the bolt; a pivoted contactor for the ignition switch; and means connecting. the contactor with the bolt so that sliding motion ofthe bolt swings the contactor on its vpivot to open and close the switch.

12..In'xa coincidental look: a body having intersecting bores; a spring pressed locking bolt slidablein onebore witha part thereof in the otherabore; alock cylinder rotatable and endwise movableiin saidother bore; a driving connection between the vcylinder and the locking bolt whereby. rotation of thecylinder in one direction slides the bolt toan unlocked position and rotation in thewopposite direction @permits the bolt to be spring propelled toward its locked position; a latch for limiting-motion of the locking bolt in an intermediate position and releasably restraining thelockingbolt'fro n movement to its locked position xwhilepermitting a substantial degree of sliding motion of the bolt toward and from its unlocked position, said latch being. connected with the lock cylinder'in a manner such that an outward endwise motion of the cylinder releases the latch; an electric switch carried by the body and having a movable contactor adjacent to the locking bolt; and a driving connection between the locking bolt and'the contactor whereby sliding I motion of the boltbetween its unlocked position and-said intermediate position carries the contactor to and from a switch closing position.

13. In a coincidental lock of the type adapted tether-mounted on'the steering column of an automobile and having a bolt-engageable with a recess inthe column to secure the same against rotation; a lock body having two bores one of which communicates withthe other at a medial portion thereof and in which the bolt is slidably received to-lie crosswise of said other bore; a lock cylinder'rotatablein said other bore at one side ofthebolt; a driving connection between the cylinder and the bolt at said side of the bolt whereby rotation-of the-cylinder is translated-into endwise motion of the bolt; switch mechanism in saidother bore at the-opposite side of the bolt including a pivoted contactor for the switch; and means at said opposite side of thebolt connecting the contactor with the bolt so that sliding motion of the bolt swings the contactor on its pivot to open 0 

